Coupling apparatus with accessory attachment

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide fastening devices adapted to couple to rigid members and witch may further include attachment features for coupling items to the rigid member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/621,549, filed Jan. 9, 2007, titled “Coupling Apparatus withAccessory Attachment,” the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety except those sections, if any,that are inconsistent with the present specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of couplingdevices, and, more specifically, to the field of clips adapted to coupleto a rigid member and, in some embodiments further adapted to couple anaccessory or other item to the rigid member.

BACKGROUND

Lounge chairs, such as those found at beach resorts, swimming pools, andhome patios, are often used simultaneously with towels. The towels areused for various reasons including, but not limited to, cushioning andcomfort, as a barrier to hot plastic or metal heated by the sun, as amoisture absorber, or as a way of occupying a chair while away. Theseuses typically require the towel be placed over the chair in a drapedfashion.

Towels, through body movement or natural occurrences, do not normallystay in their desired position. Breezes or body movements such asstanding up, flipping from one side to another, sitting up, shiftingweight, or leaning over to reach for another object are frequent,notorious causes of towel displacement. This displacement often requiresthe user to rearrange the towel back to its intended position. Asreoccurrences become more frequent, the user may often become frustratedand annoyed.

Further, it is often the case where a person using a lounge chair or apublic restroom has items with them that they would like to keep readilyaccessible, such as cell phones, but are not so equipped given thenature of their environment. Further, it is desirable to have a clipadapted to couple to a rigid member, such as a railing on a boat, and befurther able to couple various items to the rail, again such as cellphones, fishing tackle, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of exampleand not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate views of a clip in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of clips fastening a beach towel to alounge chair at various points on the outer frame of the lounge chair inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of the application of a clip to arigid object with a substantially non-rigid object draped there-aroundin accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of a clip as applied to a rigid objectwith a substantially non-rigid object draped there-around in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a profile view of a clip having an attachment memberwherein the attachment member is a flag capable of rotation inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a profile view of a clip having an attachment memberwherein the attachment member is a cylindrical clip member beingreceived in a substantially U-shaped seat in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a profile view of a clip having an attachment memberwherein the attachment member is a hook in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate views of a clip in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way ofillustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structuralor logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments inaccordance with the present invention is defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments ofthe present invention; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used tofacilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict theapplication of embodiments of the present invention.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” means Aor B. For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “Aand/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. For the purposes of thedescription, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means“(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”. Forthe purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means “(B)or (AB)” that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “inembodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,”“having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of thepresent invention, are synonymous.

In various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, a clipmay be adapted to couple to a rigid member, and be further adapted tosecure, couple, affix (permanently or temporarily), and/or attach anitem to the rigid member. In various embodiments, the clip may beadapted to secure a towel to a rigid member portion of a chair atvarious points to prevent the towel from becoming displaced. In variousembodiments, the clip may be adapted to couple an accessory to the rigidmember by way of a variety of attachment interfaces. The clip inaccordance with various embodiments is not only simple to use, but isinexpensive to manufacture.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a clip inn accordancewith embodiments may be used to secure a towel or other substantiallynon-rigid object to a rigid member, such as a frame of a resort loungechair. In some embodiments, the clip may have an inner and an outersurface of which the inner surface of the C defines an aperture forreceiving at least a first object. In various embodiments, the clip mayinclude a finger engaging member having features adapted to facilitatethe securement and release of at least one of the objects. In stillother embodiments, the clip may include an attachment feature coupled tothe clip and adapted to couple an accessory to the rigid member. Invarious embodiments, the attachment feature may be, but is not limitedto, a flag, a magnet, a hook, a clip, or other attachment interface. Yetin various embodiments, the clip may be of a variety of geometricalconfigurations suitable for coupling to a variety of rigid membersdepending on the desired use.

FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate various views of an exemplary fasteningapparatuses 10 in accordance with various embodiments. C-shaped clip 12is depicted having an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 21. Theinner surface 20 defines an aperture for receiving at least a rigidmember (not shown). The clip 12 further comprises two ends 22 which,along with the C-shape, may be adapted to resiliently flex in order toengage and disengage the rigid member.

In various embodiments, the clip 12 may also include one or more fingerengaging members 24. The finger engaging members 24 may vary in size andlocation on the clip. In one embodiment, the finger engaging member 24may be coupled to and/or along an outer periphery of the clip 12 and beof constant dimension. In other embodiments, the finger engaging member24 may be coupled along an outer periphery of the clip 12 but vary inwidth or height along the outer periphery of the clip 12. In variousembodiments, the finger engaging member 24 may be a separate anddistinct piece, or may be integrated within the clip 12. In variousembodiments, the clip 12 and/or the finger engaging member 24 may alsobe coupled to and/or include an attachment member 26 (discussed furtherbelow); an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 3. The attachmentmember 26 may be coupled directly to the clip 12, or in otherembodiments, it may be coupled to the finger engaging member 24.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate use of a clip in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention being used on a conventional resort lounge chair 30such as those found at swimming pools, beach resorts, and on homepatios. The chair 30 generally has an outer frame 32 (e.g. a rigidmember) which supports the inner material 34 on which the user sits.Often, the outer frame 32 is tubular in shape; however, the invention isnot limited in this sense as other geometrical shapes are contemplated.The chair 30 may also have supporting members 36 to lift the chair offof the ground and support the user in a reclined or upright position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a towel 38 draped over the lounging chair 30.The towel having an upper portion 38 a draped over the head rest portionof the chair, a lower portion 38 b draped over the foot portion of thechair, and side portions 38 c extending along and in some cases may bedraped over the side of the length of the chair. As mentioned earlier,it is typical for users to place towels in this position to createcushioning and comfort, to act as a barrier to hot plastic or metalheated by the sun, or to act as an indication of occupancy while theuser is away. A towel placed in this manner has a tendency to fall offthe head rest portion due to body movement or natural occurrencesthereby creating a nuisance for the user.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 10 may engage the upper portion ofa towel 38 a and the outer frame 32, over which it is draped, toselectively secure the towel to the lounging chair. In variousembodiments, multiple fastening apparatuses 10 can be placed at variouslocations around the outer frame 32 of the lounge chair so as toselectively secure the towel to the lounge chair.

An example of the engagement of the apparatus 10 to the outer frame 32is best illustrated by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring first toFIG. 5, a users hand 40 can be seen applying the fastening apparatus 10to a rigid member 42 having a substantially non-rigid object 44 wrappedthere-around. As illustrated, the user's fingers 48 can be viewedengaging the finger engaging members 24. In various other embodiments,the user's hand 40 can apply pressure substantially across the outerperiphery of the clip 12 (or apparatus 10). The user may apply pressuregenerally along horizontal line 46 causing the clip 12 (or apparatus 10)and the two ends 22 to resiliently flex as the objects 42 and 44 areengaged. Referring to FIG. 6, the fastening apparatus 10 can be seen inan engaged position with the rigid member 42 and the secondsubstantially non-rigid object 44 wrapped around the first tubularobject 42 selectively secured within the fastening apparatus 10. As canbe seen, the fastening apparatus may apply a compressive forcesubstantially across the inner surface 20 of the clip 12. In variousembodiments, the clip may be sized to accommodate the size and/orgeometry of the rigid member. In various further embodiments, the clipmay be sized to further accommodate a non rigid member disposed therebetween (e.g. a beach towel).

In various embodiments, clip 12 and/or apparatus 10 may include one ormore attachment features adapted to attach various items to a rigidmember via the clip. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate various example embodimentscapable of coupling to a variety of items through a variety ofattachment interfaces. FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment whereinthe fastening apparatus 10 has selectively attached a non rigid memberto a rigid member. The fastening apparatus further includes anattachment feature or member 26. The attachment member 26 comprises anattachment interface such as an aperture 60 adapted to receive a maleend 62 and allow rotation 64 of the male end. In various embodiments,the male end 62 may be coupled to the stem of a flag 66 in which therotation 64 produces the effect of positioning the flag up or down. Invarious embodiments the attachment interface may be reversed between thesecuring item and the apparatus/clip.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example embodiment, including a fasteningapparatus 10 having an attachment member 26. In the illustratedembodiment, the attachment member 26 is a clip having an attachmentinterface of a first cylindrical portion 70 of a first diameter, and asecond cylindrical portion 72 of a larger diameter. The secondcylindrical portion 72 is positioned on top of the first cylindricalportion 70 along the same axis so as to create a protruding membercapable of being inserted into a substantially U-shaped seat 74.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a fastening apparatus havingan attachment member 26, wherein, the attachment member may be in theform of a hook 80 to hang, for example, keys and/or other items. Invarious embodiments, a variety of other attachment members may be usedhaving different attachment interfaces, including, but not limited to,magnets, spring biased clips, and/or interlocking hook and loop typefabrics.

In a preferred embodiment, the fastening apparatus comprises a cliphaving a diameter of approximately 1¼ inches to selectively secure andrelease the outer frame of a majority of resort lounge chairs. Inanother embodiment, the fastening apparatus comprises a clip having adiameter of approximately 1 inch to selectively secure and release amajority of tubular objects associated with marine applications such as,but not limited to, side railings and ropes. In various otherembodiments, the size and geometrical shape of the fastening apparatusmay be varied depending on the size and geometrical shape of the rigidmember to which the clip is to couple.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate an example embodiment of a fastening apparatus inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Attachmentmember 126 may have a magnet disposed therein such that metallic itemsmay be secured to the clip 110 via magnet 103.

In various embodiments, as also illustrated and FIGS. 10-11, a raisedmember 121 may be positioned on the inner surface 120 near the edges122. Raised member 121 may provide an increased resistance to removal ofthe clip. The protrusion of the raised member may vary in height, width,size and shape in order to provide the amount of increased resistancethat is desired.

In various embodiments, the clips may act as removable securing andattaching devices, which may be coupled to other surfaces, such as thepanels of bathroom stalls, shower doors and the like. So positioned,items (e.g. a coat, keys, toiletries, etc) may be hung from the fingerengaging members 24/124. Further, items may be coupled to the attachmentmember 26/126.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety ofalternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated toachieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shownand described without departing from the scope of the present invention.Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments inaccordance with the present invention may be implemented in a very widevariety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptationsor variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it ismanifestly intended that embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A fastening apparatus comprising: a clip having an inner and an outersurface, the inner surface defining an aperture for receiving a rigidmember; the clip adapted to engage the first object and provide aninward force into the aperture to selectively secure the rigid memberinside the aperture; and a finger-engaging member coupled to the outersurface of the clip, the finger-engaging member adapted to facilitatethe attachment and release of at least one of the first object and thesecond object.
 2. The fastening apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the clip having two ends defining a gap; the gap having anarc between 15 and 60 degrees measured from a vertex at the center ofthe clip; the ends and the clip adapted to resiliently flex to engageand disengage the first.
 3. The fastening apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe aperture is sized larger than the rigid member, and is adapted toengage a substantially non-rigid member wrapped about the rigid member.4. The fastening apparatus of claim 3, wherein the inward force ismanifested as a compressive force between the inner surface and the nonrigid member.
 5. The fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefinger-engaging member is coupled to the outer surface of the clip alongan outer periphery of the clip.
 6. The fastening apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: an attachment member coupled to the outer surface ofthe clip.
 7. The fastening apparatus of claim 5, wherein the attachmentmember is an aperture adapted to receive a male end and allow rotationof the male end.
 8. The fastening apparatus of claim 5, wherein theattachment member is a hook.
 9. The fastening apparatus of claim 5,wherein the attachment member is a length of hook and loop fabricmaterial.
 10. The fastening apparatus of claim 5, wherein the attachmentmember is a magnet.
 11. The fastening apparatus of claim 5, wherein theattachment member is a cylindrical clip member having a firstcylindrical portion of a smaller diameter and a second cylindricalportion of a larger diameter; and the cylindrical clip member is adaptedto be received in a substantially U-shaped seat.
 12. The fasteningapparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more raised memberspositioned on the inner surface.
 13. A fastening apparatus comprising: aclip having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface defining anaperture for receiving a rigid member; the clip adapted to engage thefirst object and provide an inward force into the aperture toselectively secure the rigid member inside the aperture; and anattachment member coupled to the outer surface of the clip.
 14. Thefastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is anaperture adapted to receive a male end and allow rotation of the maleend.
 15. The fastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the attachmentmember is a hook.
 16. The fastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein theattachment member is a length of hook and loop fabric material.
 17. Thefastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the attachment member is amagnet.
 18. The fastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the attachmentmember is a cylindrical clip member having a first cylindrical portionof a smaller diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a largerdiameter, and the cylindrical clip member is adapted to be received in asubstantially U-shaped seat.
 19. The fastening apparatus of claim 13,further comprising a finger-engaging member coupled to the outer surfaceof the clip, the finger-engaging member adapted to facilitate theattachment and release of at least one of the first object and thesecond object.
 20. The fastening apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising one or more raised members positioned on the inner surface.